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Sale 52: The Westpex Sale

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Transatlantic Mails - Pioneer Steamships

Lots 1053-1062 Lots 1063-1072 Lots 1073-1079

Lot 1053    

1837-1840, Pioneer Steamships, group of five folded letters comprising 1837 Mar. 24 New York to London carried by the President; 1838 Oct. 25 Liverpool to New York carried by the Great Western; 1839 Jan. 25 London to New York carried by the Great Western; 1839 May 17 Liverpool to New York carried by the Great Western; and 1840 Apr. 30 London to New York carried by the British Queen; F.-V.F. group.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $200

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Lot 1054    

"Great Western" Bristol Jun. 2nd - New York Jun. 17th 1838, folded May 31st letter from Birmingham to New York, docketed "from Store, pd 1/-" and "May 31st, pr Gr. Western", letter says "Be sure to send word by return of the Great Western", otherwise Very Fine, this was carried on the second voyage of the Great Western.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

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Lot 1055    

"Sirius" Final Return Voyage, New York Jul. 1st - Plymouth Jul. 16th, 1838, folded Jun. 30 cover from New York, N.Y. to London, England, endorsed "pr. Sirius", flap with red "Ship-Letter/Plymouth" framed handstamp and red London (7.18.1838) arrival cds, manuscript due rating, Very Fine and choice, ex-Boettger.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Sirius made only two roundtrip transatlantic sailings for the British and American Steam Navigation Company. The company chartered the Irish Sea steamer from the St. George Steam Packet Company in order to beat the "Great Western" for the first transatlantic steamship voyage.

Realized: $900

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Lot 1056    

"Royal William" Maiden Voyage, Liverpool July 5th - New York July 24th 1838, folded July 4th letter from London to Washington, D.C., endorsed "Royal William Steam Boat 5 July", green "Forwarded by Coates & Co. London" oval backstamp, red "New York 'Ship' July 25" cds and manuscript "20¾" rating for 18¾¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; Fine and rare maiden voyage.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

Letter given to forwarding agent, Coates & Co. of London (green oval handstamp on reverse), who placed it directly in ship letter bags, avoiding post office ship letter charge. Letter carried on maiden voyage of Royal William, which made only three round voyages.

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Lot 1057    

"Royal William" Final Outbound & Return Voyage, two covers, Liverpool Dec. 15 1838 - New York Jan. 6 1839 folded Dec. 13th letter from Newcastle upon Tyne to Troy N.Y. endorsed "pr Steamer Royal William", red "Ship-Letter, Liverpool, 14 DE 1838" rimless crown datestamp and red manuscript "1/" shilling rating, red "New-York, Ship, Jan 6" cds and manuscript "20¾" ship rating; edgewear,
New York Jan. 16 - Liverpool Feb. 3 1839, folded Jan. 7th cover Mess. Rothschild & Sons in London and endorsed "p Royal William", flap with "Liverpool/Ship Letter" two-line handstamp and red London (2.4) arrival cds; a Very Fine and rare Final Voyage pair.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

The "Royal William" made only three voyages for the City of Dublin Packet Company.

Realized: $325

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Lot 1058    

"Royal William" Final Return Voyage - New York Jan. 16 - Liverpool Feb. 3 1839, folded Jan. 15th letter from Philadelphia to London, light "Philada Pa. Jan 15" cds with matching "Paid" framed handstamp and manuscript "1.12½" rating for three-times 12½¢ internal postage and 25¢ freight money fee, red "New-York Jan 16" cds, endorsed "pr Steamer 'Royal William' ", reverse with "Liverpool/Ship Letter" two-line handstamp and red London (2.4) arrival cds, manuscript "3/2" 3sh 2d due rating; stain spot, Fine, a scarce triple-rate freight money letter carried on the third and final return voyage of the Royal William.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $325

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Lot 1059    

"Great Western" Bristol May 18th - New York May 31st 1839, folded May 11th letter from London, England to Philadelphia, red "New-York 'Ship' Jun 3" cds with matching "2nd Delivery" straightline handstamp and manuscript "14½" ship rating, Very Fine, the scarce 2nd Delivery handstamp indicates 2nd delivery from the ship.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

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Lot 1060    

"British Queen" Maiden Return Voyage, New York Aug. 1st - Portsmouth Aug. 15th 1839, folded Aug. 1st cover from New York to London, letter taken directly to ship's letter bag, London (8.16) arrival backstamp with manuscript "1/4" 1s4d due rating for 8d incoming ship fee plus 8d inland postage, Extremely Fine and choice use.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

The "British Queen" was a vessel of the British & American Steam Navigation Company, which also owned the "Sirius" and the "President".

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Lot 1061    

"Liverpool" Liverpool Sep. 21st - New York Oct. 10th 1839, folded Sep. 6th letter from Liverpool to Boston, Mass., endorsed "p Liverpool Steamer, via New York", red "New-York 'Ship' Oct 10" cds and "20¾" rating for 18¾¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; sealed address tear, F.-V.F., carried on the 6th voyage of only 7 by the Liverpool., ex-Preece.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $350

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Lot 1062    

"British Queen" New York December 2nd - London December 25th 1839, folded Nov. 29th letter from Boston to London, sent unpaid, red "Ship Letter/Gravesend" framed backstamp and London (12.26) backstamp, manuscript "1/" shilling due rating (8d incoming ship rating plus 4d uniform inland fees), Very Fine, One of only three recorded covers from this voyage showing the 4d rate.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Letter carried privately to New York and placed in ship's letter bag by unknown agent. Letter carried on third return of nine round voyages by British Queen before the steamer was sold to the Belgian Government. This voyage of British Queen was the only steamship voyage into G.B. during the five week experimental 4d uniform inland rate period.

Realized: $290

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Lots 1053-1062 Lots 1063-1072 Lots 1073-1079

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